System for creating an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) in water for pathogenic cleansing and/or degreasing of hard surfaces and equipment

Abstract

A system and method for creating an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) in water and for reducing the surface tension of the water for the microbiological decontamination of food animal carcasses. A method is also described for the microbiological decontamination of beef trimmings.

I claim: 
     
       1. A system for creating an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) in water for application to a food animal carcass for the microbiological decontamination of the food animal carcass, comprising:
 an ozone generator configured to generate ozone with said ozone generator having an air inlet side and an ozone outlet side; 
 a regulator having an elongated body with a first end, a second end, a front side, a back side, an upper side and a lower side; 
 said first end of said regulator having a water inlet opening extending thereinto; 
 said water inlet opening having inner and outer ends; 
 said water inlet opening of said regulator being in communication with a source of water; 
 said second end of said regulator having a water-ozone solution discharge opening extending thereinto; 
 said water-ozone solution discharge opening having inner and outer ends; 
 said elongated body having a body portion, with first and second ends, positioned between said inner end of said water inlet opening and said inner end of said water-ozone solution discharge opening; 
 said body portion having a venturi chamber, with first and second ends, formed therein between said first and second ends of said body portion; 
 said body portion having an elongated first bore, having inner and outer ends, formed therein which extends between said first end of said body portion and said venturi chamber; 
 said body portion having an elongated second bore, having inner and outer ends, formed therein which extends from said venturi chamber to said inner end of said water-ozone solution discharge opening; 
 an ozone adjustment housing secured to said body of said regulator at said front side of said elongated body of said regulator; 
 said ozone adjustment housing having an inner end, an outer end, a first side and a second side; 
 said ozone adjustment housing having an ozone passageway formed therein extending between said outer and inner ends of said ozone adjustment housing; 
 said ozone passageway being in communication with said ozone outlet side of said ozone generator whereby ozone produced by said ozone generator will pass inwardly through said ozone passageway in said ozone adjustment housing; 
 said ozone adjustment housing having an ozone metering adjustment screw which threadably extends inwardly into said ozone adjustment housing through said second side of said ozone adjustment housing into said ozone passageway in said ozone adjustment housing for adjustably regulating the flow of ozone therethrough; 
 said body portion having an elongated third bore formed therein which extends from said first end of said body portion to said second end of said body portion whereby a portion of water being supplied to said water inlet opening of said regulator will pass through said elongated third bore and whereby a portion of water being supplied to said water inlet opening will pass through said elongated first bore to said venturi chamber and pass through said elongated second bore to said water-ozone solution discharge opening; 
 said upper side of said elongated body of said regulator having a vertically disposed opening formed therein which has an upper end and a lower end; 
 said lower end of said vertically disposed opening being in communication with said elongated third bore; 
 a vertically adjustable water metering screw, having upper and lower ends, positioned in said vertically disposed opening; 
 said lower end of said water metering screw being vertically adjustable movable into said elongated third bore to adjust the flow of water through said elongated third bore; 
 said water passing through said venturi chamber creating a venturi effect which sucks or draws ozone from said ozone passageway of said ozone adjustment housing which is mixed with the water passing through said venturi chamber into said elongated second bore and to be further mixed with the water passing outwardly from said elongated third bore into said water-ozone solution discharge opening and thence outwardly from said second end of said regulator for application to the food animal carcass; and 
 said water ozone solution being applied to said food animal carcass having an ORP of at least 600-800 millivolts and a surface tension of about 48-58 Millinewtons per meter at 20 degrees Centigrade. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1  wherein an air pump supplies pressurized air to said air inlet side of said ozone generator. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1  wherein an air dryer supplies air to said air inlet side of said ozone generator. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3  wherein an air pump supplies pressurized air to said air dryer. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of ozone generators are provided which are series connected together. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1  further including:
 a check valve imposed in said ozone passageway of said ozone adjustment housing; 
 said check valve being movable between open and closed positions; 
 said check valve including a spring which yieldably maintains said check valve in said closed position; and 
 said check valve being movable to said open position by the venturi effect in said venturi chamber. 
 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1  wherein an elongated insert is positioned in said first bore and wherein an elongated insert is positioned in said second bore and wherein each of said inserts have a bore extending therethrough.